Tuesday 28 June 2011

DIY Lip Scrub (a Lush Bubblegum lip scrub dupe)

As I said in my recent currently loving post I've had really dry, chapped lips this week. After borrowing my sisters Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub a few times (it works very well at removing dry flaky skin) I thought I'd take a proper look at the ingredients and I was very shocked at the list: Caster sugar, Jojoba oil, flavour and colourings.



 
So basically, Lush are charging £4.75 for 25g of sugar and jojoba oil... erm... rip-off anyone? I decided I could make my own just as well, and for just a teeny tiny fraction of the price.

After a couple of attempts I came up with a very simple 'recipe' using caster sugar, walnut oil and almond extract (and some food colouring, but that was mainly to satisfy a curiosity; I wanted to match the colour of the Lush scrub)


 
Start off with 3 heaped teaspoons of caster sugar, then add 1 1/2 teaspoons of walnut oil. I chose walnut oil because of it's nutty, sweet scent and flavour (you could use any other oil if you prefer, I think it would work just as well)




Then I added about 3 drops of almond extract (be careful not to add too much, extracts can taste awful in larger quantities) again, other extracts will probably work just as well- pick whatever taste you like best :) And mix it all together until the sugar and oils are combined (the sugar will start to become translucent, and it'll get kind of crumbly).




I added a few drops of pink food colouring to try and colour match the Lush scrub and look! Practically identical in texture and colour!
 
Lush, and the DIY

I put my scrub into a little pot (this is an old carmex pot) and the leftovers in a Tupperware for storage (I made 3 batches in total, so I had quite a bit)


DIY and Lush

I worked out the pricing for my recipe, and it comes to approximately 20p for 30g; and although the packaging isn't as pretty, and it doesn't smell as sweet and bubblegummy, there's a £4.50 price difference and it scrubs my lips just as well (the textures really are EXACTLY the same) = TOTAL BARGAIN! :)

I really cannot rave about this enough, it's so nice to be able to scrub away the flakey patches, and leave them nice and smooth for lip products- without the crazy price tag!

 
If you are a fan of the Lush lip scrubs (or if you're not, but you'd like one) I really really recommend you try this out. Let me know if you do, I'd love to hear about it :)


                                                                                   xGretalRabbitx

62 comments:

  1. I love this! Just goes to show how much of a rip off lush products are -I've never been much of a fan! x

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  2. Thanks :) I know it's ridiculously expensive! Let me know if you make it :)
    xGretalRabbitx

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  3. It's great to make your own products, and some products at Lush can be a little pricy, but I hate to see commenters bagging on a company for making a profit. That is what businesses do. I am so glad that Lush is out there making natural products. My sensitive skin is also eternally grateful.

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    1. Oh I'm not saying that they shouldn't make a profit, but surely you agree that the profit margin on the scrubs is enormous- I honestly don't think it's worth the price tag.

      Unfortunately I don't buy many Lush products, the scent in the shops is far too strong for my nose! I love their products though! :)

      xGretalRabbitx

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    2. Also if you look at the cost of organic jojoba oil and the fact that it's all hand made in britain, and the packaging costs... it all adds up to not so much profit after all.

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    3. The products are not actually natural. not all of them that is. If you look at the ingredients lists most products including the bath bombs, soaps, lotions, and facial scrubs all use "parfum." This is actually a synthetically modified scent, aka perfume. Perfume is neither natural nor organic. So once again a company (and I say this a business person) has found a way to overcharge on a niche market that they don't entirely meet, and have convinced consumers that there are extra costs associated with the creation of their "organic and natural" products that results in a higher price. However, as someone who has studied these trends this is not true. Despite what businesses tell you, and despite the fact that they quote higher costs the net cost of production is actually equivalent to large corporations or even less and they charge a premium because of the niche in which they cater to. Son't be so quick to assume that businesses are being honest with you in their products and their pricing.

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  4. I realize this comment is uber late to the party, but you can buy bubblegum flavoring quite cheap. It's kind of an odd flavor for grocery stores to sell, but lots of craft stores carry it, usually in the baking or candy-making department. I found some for $3.49 US, and it was actually a 2-pack of 1 dram bottles. I think that equals 2 teaspoons, but it's so concentrated that you only use a few drops at a time. I'm hoping it won't taste bad if I use a LOT of flavor in my scrubs :) I've never tried the actual Lush scrub, but it's almost $10 for one pot...I could literally buy all of the ingredients listed on the label (even the jojoba oil) for less than that, and make the exact same thing.

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    1. Oh really, I'll have to look out for it (sounds yummy!) Thanks :) Yeah definitely, that's really why I wanted to try and make a recipe- I was shocked at the price mark-up for the ingredients!
      xGretalRabbitx

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  5. I am thinking... holiday gifts! But how long does this stuff keep? Thanks in advance! erin dot obrien at me dot com.

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    1. Ooh it would be a great gift! It lasts a REALLY long time (I still have some left over from when I first made and posted this recipe over a year ago) as sugar and oil really don't go off! :)
      xGretalRabbitx

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  6. Thanks for this great DIY idea. I'm happy someone asked about its shelf life. I'm thinking of having my class make this for their mom's for a cute mother's day gift....an awesome gift that is not expensive..thanks again.. :)

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    1. My pleasure! Aww that's a lovely idea, please let me know how it goes :)
      xGretalRabbitx

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  7. I just made this with regular granulated sugar, olive oil, and vanilla extract because it's what I had in the house, and it works soooo good! I wish I had food coloring to make it look a little more appealing but it's not a big deal. I have to stop myself from eating it lol. Thank you so much for this recipe!

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    1. Ooh I'm so glad it worked for you too :) Vanilla sounds like an amazing addition (must try it, though I also really want to make a minty one for Christmas!) Haha I have to do the same...

      It's my pleasure, I'm happy that you like it :)

      xGretalRabbitx

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  8. Using real mint or almond extract with almond oil would be nice!

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    1. Ooh almond with almond extract would be lovely (and quite christmassy, like marzipan!) Using fresh mint might decrease it's shelf-life though- but I do LOVE mint...
      xGretalRabbitx

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  9. i've just looked at this recipe and it looks amazing!
    thanks so much for creating it!

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    1. My pleasure- glad you like it! :)
      xGretalRabbitx

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  10. try using orange flavouring in the summer so it tastes like an ice lolly!

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    1. Ooh that sounds yummy- there are SO many possibilities!
      xGretalRabbitx

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  11. I thought the entire point behind Lush cosmetics was that they were vegan and did not use processed products. If that's something that's important to people, this isn't going to do anything for them.

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  12. This was a great idea, thank you! I made it with organic coconut oil instead of jojoba because I love the scent and little honey and it came out great! You inspired me, Thanks a ton!

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    1. Glad you like it! Ooh Coconut oil would be so lovely with it. I might have to try this one myself actually :)
      xGretalRabbitx

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  13. You can rub a wet wash cloth over your flakey lips and apply lip balm. it is the same concept.

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    1. Definitely- it just doesn't taste as nice :p
      xGretalRabbitx

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  14. I'm going to try and make this today with whatever I have in the cupboard, thanks :)

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    1. Hehe let me know how it goes! :)
      xGretalRabbitx

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  15. You can also use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) instead of oil (: it'll be more thick

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    1. Might not be so yummy to lick off- but you can certainly try! :)
      xGretalRabbitx

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  16. This is great for an at-home version! The color and texture look EXACTLY the same!
    However, please note that the biggest reason why Lush products cost seem like a "rip-off" is because they only purchase items at a fair-trade price. AKA if you buy your sugar/oil at a grocery store you are likely NOT paying fair-trade. So yeah there's that.

    To the person above saying to use petroleum jelly; yeah you CAN do that but eating petroleum even in small amounts seems really icky. :P Although personally I think the idea of rubbing off chapped lip skin and then licking it off is gross anyway, lol.

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    1. I know, I was so impressed at how easy it was!

      It's odd that I've never heard that they use fair trade ingredients- and I've never seen the fairtrade logo on their products but very glad to hear they are! I actually do always buy fairtrade caster sugar (for some reason it's usually the same price) but perhaps that is part of the crazy price hike. :)

      xGretalRabbitx

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    2. The fair-trade logo requires specific testing; just like small local farmers may not have their organic "certification logo" even though they clearly are organic farming. :) A lot of the places they get products from are too small or just can't afford to get the registration. In fact, Fair Trade USA is not even really regulating true fair-trade organizations. (http://equalexchange.coop/fair-trade)

      https://www.lush.co.uk/content/view/4469

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  17. Thanks for this DIY. I would love to try this out.

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    1. My pleasure- let me know how it turns out if you do :)
      xGretalRabbitx

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  18. This looks delightfully tasty and exdoliating. I cant wait to make some, my lips have just been chapped and are now kind of flakey. This would be cute as jars for birthdays (in different coloured/flavoured layers). Although I've liked Lush products in the past, I think this will be a nice price substitution. How much did everything cost if you were to buy all the ingredients today?

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  19. Thanks so much for this post!! I just made my own batch. I'm in the US and never heard of caster sugar, but after some googling, I read it's the same as superfine sugar. So, I used 3 tsp of superfine sugar, 1.5 tsp of Vitamin E oil, and equal amounts almond and vanilla extract (though my grocery store had chocolate and coconut extracts... maybe next time!!), and a drop of red food color. I think I liked it better before the food color, but oh well. It works beautifully, and the food color does not stain my lips like I thought it might.

    The only difference between this version and Lush is that Lush's is more crumbly and dry. I suppose less oil/more sugar would fix this, but I like the oilier consistency!

    Thanks again!!!

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    1. Oh, I forgot to add: My little jar that I made approximately cost $1.47 USD. I got my Vitamin E oil half price ($3.50) and the super fine sugar was $2 for a box of 113 tsp! I had the extracts, food color, and jar on hand, but they cost virtually nothing per drop.

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  20. I just made one of these! I paid nothing as I had all the ingrediants at home and I love it!! The only problem is I put a bit too much oil in, but it still works!

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  21. Well I am going to bag on their prices some products are ridcoulously expensive and their lip polish is one most of their products are diluted with stearic acid which is a form of vegetable oil it wash off clean and leaves a smooth non greasy feel I wonder how much of the good ingredients you actually receive in the finish product. I learned how to dupe their products and save tons of money. I am not going to bag on the company because their ideas are awesome and their fragrances are uniquely combined with their products. I love their unique style but the packaging isn't expensive it's quite cheap they don't do ads and when you order online they charge you 15 bucks for a $50 purchase well in the US and their products are only a couple of .Oz so their margin is huge otherwise they wouldn't be international. Thank you for your post you beat me to it this lip polish is fairly easy.

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    1. I completely agree- the company as a whole (I know someone who used to work for them so I know they work hard to come up with lovely fresh products) but some things are totally overpriced! What else have you duped? I love making my own skincare things!

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  22. I love my Lush lipscrub but I'll definitely be trying this recipe once I've used it up, thanks for sharing!

    Jess xo

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  23. what exactly is a lip scrub? is it lip balm? or do u just scrub your lips with it to make them smoother?

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    1. This has a nut oil so it's conditioning too, but yes it's to make your lips smooth.

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  24. I just made this with regular sugar ( ground it up in the blender to make my own "caster sugar") , grapeseed oil, vanilla extract & red food coloring..... OHHH EMMM GEEEE!!! Soooo yummy & it left my lips extremely soft. My bf likes it too ;) lol

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  25. I just made this using almond oil & peppermint extract as I love the mint julips scrub from Lush, this is just as good and about 1/3 of the price. Thanks for the recipe! ��

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    1. Ooh I really need to make a new one with mint- I love peppermint scents/flavours! Thanks for the idea x

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  26. Great review! Can't believe it's that easy to make lush product o.o

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  27. I made this with Canola oil, Vanilla extract, regular granulated sugar, and since I didn't have any food coloring, I used red JELLO. And it turned out great! I love it! The Jello also makes it smell fantastic. :) Thanks for the recipe!

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    1. Haha using Jello is a genius idea!! Glad it worked out for you too xGretalRabbitx

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  28. I come back to this post time and time again. great DIY. I just made some - it just tastes so good!!
    Ells x
    marshmallowscoop.wordpress.com

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    1. Thank you! So glad you like it :)
      xGretalRabbitx

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  29. I love that!! Thank you! I live in Uruguay, Southamerica and here it isn´t aLush shop.

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  30. I was just in a LUSH to buy another product and I passed on buying one of these lip scrubs at checkout because they were 10$ and I just KNEW there would be a dupe online for it...thank you so much for this! made my day! just made the recipe using coconut oil and mint extract..it's so fresh and amazing..one thing though...don't use blue colouring ahahah this may seem obvious to you guys, I realise now, but my lips are stained because I got a little excited with this..I just wanted to make it look cool..ill be making a new batch tomorrow with RED colouring this time thank you very much ahahah

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    1. Oh I'm so glad I could make someone's day! Haha I'm sorry you got blue lips, but I can't stop giggling at the mental picture I have! I recently got some minty coffee syrup so I think I'll be trying a mint version myself soon :)
      xGretalRabbitx

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  31. Perfection! I have only been to Lush a couple of times, and have been trying to convince myself that I could spare the price of the scrub. I loved it, but never could manage it. This, however, was inexpensive to do at home, and an exact replica. I have made creme de minthe, bubble gum, and watermelon flavor! Everyone loves it. Thank you!!!!

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    1. They all sound amazing! Where did you get the flavourings from? Glad it's worked so well for you :)
      xGretaRabbitx

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  32. That looks amazing would Love to try it as a christmas gift and would love to know how long it keeps for??

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    1. I lasts very well- (if your mixture is on the oilier side the sugar and oil can separate a little and need remixing after a couple of weeks) as all the ingredients are very shelf-stable, mine have lasted for months and months :)
      I hope your friends/family enjoy their gifts!
      xGretalRabbitx

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  33. Just made with my Lush crazy daughters, they love it! Many thanks :-)

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  34. Does the food coloring stain your lips or your body

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    1. No it's never stained anything for me. If you're worried about staining just leave it out! xGretalRabbitx

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